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Native Child Family Services Toronto - Longhouse
Native Child Family Services Toronto - Longhouse
30, College Street, Old Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Other Projects by LGA Architectural Partners
Native Child Family Services Toronto - Longhouse
30, College Street, Old Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Type
YEAR
2010
SIZE
0 sqft - 1000 sqft
BUDGET
$5M - 10M
The new Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) consolidates social and culture-based services
for aboriginal children and families within a 30,000 square foot office building in the heart of downtown
Toronto. The challenge for this project was to create a place that would reconnect urban aboriginals with nature
in the heart of the city and project a bold visual presence for the First Nations community – which was difficult
to conceive for a community that is comprised of distinctive bands with their own identities and customs.
Opened in June 2010, the former 1980s office building now houses a drop-in childcare centre, an aboriginal
artist studio, family, mental health, social services and administration offices as well as a contemporary iteration
of a longhouse and a rooftop healing lodge and fire circle surrounded by a lush roof garden. These special
spaces are used both formally and informally for public assemblies and ceremonies, drumming and circle
sessions and for counseling, meetings and playtime.
Like an organic cocoon within this urban office building, the “longhouse” is subtle and unexpected. Conceived as a multipurpose room for a Toronto aboriginal centre, it is used both formally and informally for public assemblies and spiritual ceremonies, drumming and circle sessions, for counseling, meetings and children’s playtime. Inspired by the traditional birch sapling structures of southern Ontario, it is neither a replica of a historic structure, nor a pastiche reinterpretation. Instead, it is a contemporary iteration of a longhouse, providing urban aboriginals with an authentic Native experience within a non-Native environment.
for aboriginal children and families within a 30,000 square foot office building in the heart of downtown
Toronto. The challenge for this project was to create a place that would reconnect urban aboriginals with nature
in the heart of the city and project a bold visual presence for the First Nations community – which was difficult
to conceive for a community that is comprised of distinctive bands with their own identities and customs.
Opened in June 2010, the former 1980s office building now houses a drop-in childcare centre, an aboriginal
artist studio, family, mental health, social services and administration offices as well as a contemporary iteration
of a longhouse and a rooftop healing lodge and fire circle surrounded by a lush roof garden. These special
spaces are used both formally and informally for public assemblies and ceremonies, drumming and circle
sessions and for counseling, meetings and playtime.
Like an organic cocoon within this urban office building, the “longhouse” is subtle and unexpected. Conceived as a multipurpose room for a Toronto aboriginal centre, it is used both formally and informally for public assemblies and spiritual ceremonies, drumming and circle sessions, for counseling, meetings and children’s playtime. Inspired by the traditional birch sapling structures of southern Ontario, it is neither a replica of a historic structure, nor a pastiche reinterpretation. Instead, it is a contemporary iteration of a longhouse, providing urban aboriginals with an authentic Native experience within a non-Native environment.
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